Trip North England-Scotland

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
RealRedHair
Posts: 9
Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm

Trip North England-Scotland

Post by RealRedHair »

Hello,

I'm from Holland and are planning to make a bike pannier trip to North England-Scotland.

Plan is als follow:
* NCN-7 (National Cycling Network) vanaf Newcastle tot Glasgow (https://cycle.travel/map/journey/470)
* The West Highland Way to Fort William (https://www.westhighlandway.org)
* Part of The North Coast (https://www.northcoast500.com)
* Option also to go to Oban and do the Outer Hibrides and from Ullapool back to Scotland.
* Option to go to Shetland islands and back by boat to Aberdeen and then train to Newcastle

See roughly on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QxdGBQQJVq6JpwrK6(1250 km). 4 weeks available.

Questions:
* Does that sound reasonable in 4 weeks? Any suggestions?
* I'm planning to start mid May/start june. What about midges? Is it early enough? Not to cold?

Kind regards,

Raoul
st599_uk
Posts: 1092
Joined: 4 Nov 2018, 8:59pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by st599_uk »

Any reason for using NCN7?

The Hadrian's Cycleway is stunning and takes you past quite a few of the Roman sites and starts very close to the Netherlands-UK ferry terminal.
A novice learning...
“the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
RealRedHair
Posts: 9
Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by RealRedHair »

st599_uk wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 12:37pm Any reason for using NCN7?

The Hadrian's Cycleway is stunning and takes you past quite a few of the Roman sites and starts very close to the Netherlands-UK ferry terminal.
Good point; if Hadrian's is more interesting I take that one. Thanks!

And what about the period in relation to presence of midges?
pal
Posts: 612
Joined: 22 Mar 2008, 11:49am

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by pal »

May/June should be ok for midges, I think. And often the weather is really nice around then (though, equally, it can sometimes be absolutely dreadful. And sometimes both, on the same day!) I was in the Outer Hebrides in late June last year, and it was almost midge-free, to my great surprise...

On Hadrian's Cycleway vs NCN 7: I agree that the former has more going for it in terms of sights to see. NCN 7 is, I would say, a bit more dramatic in terms of scenery (at least in the middle part), and also has more challenging climbs (which might be a plus or a minus point, depending on what you're after).

If you had time on the way back south, there is some lovely cycling on the Northumberland coast, around Morpeth/Alnwick/etc. (But it's also very scenic from the train...)

You can get onto the cycle network (whether heading for NCN 7 or for the Hadrian's Cycleway) almost straight off the ferry at Newcastle (bear right as soon as you're through the customs area; if you're in luck, a Cheery Official will point you the right way). If you did go for the NCN 7 option, then you'd have the chance to use the excellent cycle tunnel under the Tyne: one of the few bits of UK cycle infrastructure which rivals the Netherlands! https://www.tynepedestrianandcyclisttunnels.co.uk/
Jdsk
Posts: 24639
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by Jdsk »

We've cycled the Outer Hebrides and Newcastle to Edinburgh. Both Highly Recommended.

We had no problems with midges on the islands, and the locals said that that was often the case. The bible is pictured below.

Have you found The Man in Seat 61?
https://www.seat61.com

Have fun

Jonathan

Image
RealRedHair
Posts: 9
Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by RealRedHair »

Jdsk wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 2:34pm We had no problems with midges on the islands, and the locals said that that was often the case. The bible is pictured below.
Just bought it now for 6 euro! Thanks
Norman H
Posts: 1331
Joined: 31 Jul 2011, 4:39pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by Norman H »

The West Highland Way is primarily a long distance walking route and some sections would be quite challenging on a bike, not to mention gates and stiles designed for walkers which would be awkward with a loaded tourer.
RealRedHair
Posts: 9
Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by RealRedHair »

Norman H wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 3:01pm The West Highland Way is primarily a long distance walking route and some sections would be quite challenging on a bike, not to mention gates and stiles designed for walkers which would be awkward with a loaded tourer.
Ah I thought it would be possible. I checked the official website: https://www.westhighlandway.org/getting ... questions/
Can I cycle the West Highland Way?

You can but it is worth noting that the West Highland Way was designed as a long distance walking route and consequently cyclists will come across terrain, underpasses and gates which were designed specifically for walkers. For example, when the West Highland Way passes under the A82 and West Highland Rail Lines the reduced headroom would require cyclists to dismount. The path between Rowardennan and Inverarnan has some rocky and narrow parts which are not suitable for bikes.
https://goo.gl/maps/dK1NWosEHnrdFKXu6 Rowardennan and Inverarnan seems to be difficult; maybe I have to try to avoid that section then.

But when I check the video its seems some sections are too hard or at least quit difficult with a hybrid tourbicycle with side panniers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P0K-malrYQ

Is there any alternative bicycle trip for this part of my track? Any GPS available would be great. :D
Or is it possible to cross the lake by boat and continue on the other side?
User avatar
Paulatic
Posts: 7804
Joined: 2 Feb 2014, 1:03pm
Location: 24 Hours from Lands End

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by Paulatic »

May / June you should be OK for the midge. You’ll see some but they won’t be at their worst.
West Highland Way as Norman says is a walking route whilst some is cycleable there are bits totally unsuitable for a touring bike.
There appears to be some confusion @pal & @nt with route 7 ( were you thinking of R1)
Route 7 is on the West and to get to it you could use Hadrians or the Reivers R10 to reach R7

A 4 week tour :idea:
For me the essential bits would be Hebrides, R7 through Sutherland, Black Isle, R7 Inverness to Perth.
Avoid the central belt but the Kelpies are a must see if you’re near.

@realredhair make sure you’re gearing is low enough there are some long drags :wink:

To avoid the WHW take a ferry to Arran and then to Kintyre.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
pal
Posts: 612
Joined: 22 Mar 2008, 11:49am

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by pal »

Paulatic wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 8:14pm There appears to be some confusion @pal & @nt with route 7 ( were you thinking of R1)
Route 7 is on the West and to get to it you could use Hadrians or the Reivers R10 to reach R7
Route 7 starts in Exotic Sunderland, pearl of the east coast! (And then, as you say, turns right just after the M6, and heads up the west coast). So there are three (at least) ways to get from Newcastle over to the west side of the country: Hadrian's, Reivers or NCN7...
RealRedHair
Posts: 9
Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by RealRedHair »

Attachments
Screenshot 2021-10-21 at 21.28.49.png
pal
Posts: 612
Joined: 22 Mar 2008, 11:49am

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by pal »

What you could also do, RealRedHair, if you want to stick with NCN7 as your route over the Pennines, is to take NCN14 down from Newcastle to Consett, and pick up NCN7 there. That would mean you could skip the not-particularly-pretty (though mostly flat) bit of NCN7 between Sunderland and Consett.

(But actually I think Hadrian's or Reivers might be the better option, unless you definitely want the Big Hills of NCN7!)
User avatar
Paulatic
Posts: 7804
Joined: 2 Feb 2014, 1:03pm
Location: 24 Hours from Lands End

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by Paulatic »

pal wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 8:24pm
Paulatic wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 8:14pm There appears to be some confusion @pal & @nt with route 7 ( were you thinking of R1)
Route 7 is on the West and to get to it you could use Hadrians or the Reivers R10 to reach R7
Route 7 starts in Exotic Sunderland, pearl of the east coast! (And then, as you say, turns right just after the M6, and heads up the west coast). So there are three (at least) ways to get from Newcastle over to the west side of the country: Hadrian's, Reivers or NCN7...
My mistake, I think picking it up above Penrith, or is that 71, I ssumed it came up from the West.
Is R7 shown on the above map is that C2C or yet another route option?

While I’m in learning mode I thought above Inverness was also R7 so what is that anyone?
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
Ron
Posts: 1385
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 9:07pm

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by Ron »

Paulatic wrote: 21 Oct 2021, 8:43pmWhile I’m in learning mode I thought above Inverness was also R7 so what is that anyone?
Route 1 goes north of Inverness but only as far as Tain.
Route 7 terminates at Culloden, just south of Inverness where it meets Route 1.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-rout ... rk/route-7
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-rout ... rk/route-1
User avatar
Paulatic
Posts: 7804
Joined: 2 Feb 2014, 1:03pm
Location: 24 Hours from Lands End

Re: Trip North England-Scotland

Post by Paulatic »

Thanks Ron
I need to wear my glasses when cycling :D Getting confused with ones and sevens I was at Tain earlier this year :lol:
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
Post Reply